STUDY AND COMPARISON OF BACTERIAL LOADS ON CELL PHONES USED BY MOUAU STUDENTS, FOOD HANDLERS AND BUTCHERS

ABSTRACT

Cell phones can act as a potential microbiological threat, serving as vehicles to transfer contamination from one place to another. The aim of this study was therefore to isolate, identify and to detect the contamination rate of cell phones surfaces with microorganisms among the cell phones of Students, Butchers and Food handlers. The samples were collected using sterile swab stick moistened in sterile peptone water. The bacteria colony counts was carried out using pour plate technique while the bacteria isolate were identified using cultural, morphological and biochemical techniques. The results showed that Students, butchers and Food handlers had the overall mean bacterial counts of 2.1 x 103, 3.1 x 103 and 3.2 x 103 cfu/ml respectively. Fifty-Nine (59) bacterial isolates belonging to four genera: Staphylococcus aureus 38(63.3%), E. coli 11(18.3%), Salmonella species 6(10%) and Klebsiella species 5(8.3%) were identified. Generally, Staphylococcus aureus was the most isolated with 38(63.3%) while the least isolated was Klebsiella species with 5(8.3%). The frequency of occurrence of the isolates indicates that Staphylococcus aureus had the highest frequency of occurrence in both the Students, Butchers and Food handlers while Klebsiella species had the lowest frequency of occurrence. Some of the cell phones examined had potential disease causing bacteria, this results highlight the health implications of using other people`s cell phones as they could be loaded with bacteria and other microbes capable of causing various infections.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

      i.         Certification                                                        i

     ii.         Dedication                                                                                                               ii

   iii.         Acknowledgement                                                                                                  iii

   iv.         Table of Contents                                                                                                    iv

     v.         List of Tables                                                                                                            vii

   vi.         Abstract                                                                                                                  viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction                                                                                                                   1

1.1 Aims and objectives                                                                                                      2

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review                                                                                                           3

2.1 Advantages and disadvantages of cell phones                                                              5

2.1.1 Advantages of cell phones                                                                                         5

2.1.2 Disadvantages of cell phones                                                                                    6

2.2 Bacteria contamination of cell phones                                                                        7

2.3 Microorganisms associated with the use of cell phones                                             8   

2.4 Control of infections associated with cell phones                                                    10

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and methods                                                                                               13

3.1 Study area and sample collection                                                                              13

3.2 Preparation of Samples                                                                                              13

3.3 Isolation of Bacteria                                                                                                   13

3.4 Bacteria Load                                                                                                             13                                                                

3.5 Morphological characterization                                                                                14

3.6 Gram Staining                                                                                                           14

3.7 Biochemical characterization                                                                                   15

3.7.1 Catalase test                                                                                                           15

3.7.2 Coagulase test                                                                                                        15

3.7.3 Citrate test                                                                                                             16                                                                      

3.7.4 Indole test                                                                                                              16

3.7.5 Oxidase test                                                                                                           16

3.7.6 Motility test                                                                                                          17

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results/ Table showing results                                                                               18

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion                                                                                                               22

5.1 Conclusion                                                                                                              23

5.2 Recommendations                                                                                                  23

References.

LIST OF TABLES

Table      Title                                                                page

 1:          The overall mean of the bacteria counts and distribution of the bacterial             19

                    isolates according to sample source.     

2:            The morphological and biochemical characterisation of the bacteria              20

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The global system for mobile telecommunication (GSM) was established in 1982 in Europe with a view to providing and improving communications networks (Naubauer et al., 2005). Today, mobile phones have become one of the most indispensible accessories of professional and social life. Although they are usually stored in bags or pockets, mobile phones are handled frequently and held to the face (Yusha`u et al., 2008; 2010). The constant handling of the mobile phones by users makes it a breeding place for transmission of pathogenic microorganisms (Glodbalt et al., 2007; Yusha`u et al., 2010). Growing evidences have indicated that contaminated fornites or surfaces play a key role in the spread of bacterial infections (Kawo and Rogo, 2008; Kawo et al., 2009; Enemuor et al., 2012.). The first study of bacterial contamination of mobile phones was conducted in a teaching hospital in Turkey (Karabay et al., 2007). Another study on mobile phones in New York has shown that the examined phones were found to harbour pathogenic microorganisms (Goldblatt et al., 2007). In Nigeria, the usage of cell phones has increased to more than fifty billion with more than eight service providers (Nwadike, 2007). Mobile phones have been identified as one of the carriers of bacterial pathogens (Mbata, 2003; Austin et al., 2006; Akinyemi et al., 2009; Yusha`u et al., 2010).

       According to a research done by (Johnson et al., 2006), cell phones could be contaminated by our hands, human skin, bags, pockets, environment, through food particles which could lead to chronic diseases. These microbes from their source are usually normal flora that can cause opportunistic disease. While (Ogg, 2008) stated that 80% of infections are spread through the hands and other objects which are always in contact with the cell phones. Mobile phones have been seen to be contaminated because of the negligence of the users to its hygiene. These should be seen as so because heat generated by our phones create a conducive environment for microbes to thrive in (Brady et al., 2006). The constant handling of mobile phones by different users gives a venue for different types of microbes to thrive in which range from those found in the hands, skins and the phone themselves. The present study was aimed at identifying the bacterial contamination of mobile phones of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture students, food handlers and butchers in Umuahia Abia State, Nigeria.

1.1 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

v  To investigate bacteria contamination of mobile phones of MOUAU students, food handlers and butchers.

v  To compare the bacteria load of mobile phones among the groups mentioned.

v  To state health implications associated with these contaminants.

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